April 2008 - AMSAT-BB - mailman.amsat.org

Re: EggBeater II antennas
by Oscar Diez 09 Apr '08

09 Apr '08

Hi Jeff, I would not swap your 6 el. Yagi for any eggbeater (neither the original M2 one nor the homebrewed eggbeater II design). I've build an Eggbeater II and it was very "nully" due to the many lobes of the antenna. I had it mounted about 20ft over the ground on the roof top and connected to a low noise GAsFET preamp. I removed it again after only one week of operation and was quite disappointed and went back to my homebrew ground plane. Furthermore the antenna is only circular overhead and horizontally polarized towards the horizon. Even the simple 1/4 wave groundplane + preamp gave me a better reception of 70cm LEO birds at low elevation angles and much less nulls. Generally I found vertical polarisation to work better most of the times with most kind of satellites (although by theory when receiving circular signals this shouldn't be the case - but you can centrainly confirm that with your yagi) If you look for an omnidirectional antenna I would give the parasitic lindenbald antenna a try as described by Tony AA2TX in the AMSAT proceedings 2006 and 2007. I haven't tried it yet, but I expect it to work even better than any Eggbeater design (maybe someone ever compared such antenna types and could report here?) Best 73, Oscar DJ0MY

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Swan Island Dxpedition announcement
by David J 09 Apr '08

09 Apr '08

_____ HQ8R SWAN ISLAND DXPEDITON SATELLITE COMMUNICATION Florida AMSAT Net, on the 443.1 MHz N4HHA repeater, On the NI4CE system of repeaters and over Echolink at KG4YZY-R, node# 4429, on Thursday April 10th at 19:30 ET. Following a Preamble and announcements, Bill Dzurrila, NZ5N, http://www.qrz.com/nz5n will present his adventures to, during and from the recent Swan Island Dxpedition which ended about March 27. Web site: http://www.hondurasdx.com/ Please email questions you would like to ask Bill to: David Jordan, AA4KN, at: aa4kn(a)amsat.org Dave is only accepting questions sent PRIOR to net time. Additional questions will be allowed as time permits. This will allow reduction of duplicate questions and also allow David to be heard by everyone via the repeater. Please include your Name and Call Sign. Credit of the Name and Call Sign will be given over the repeater for those questions sent to David. During prior events, many mobile units were unable to present a consistent r.f. signal into the repeater. Also a more smoothly run net will occur by reducing the number of "overs" etc. AMSAT, The Radio Satellite Corporation, web site is: http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/index.php Prepared by Carl Zelich, AA4MI, aa4mi(a)arrl.net SENT BY DAVID JORDAN, AA4KN _____ Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL <http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016> Travel Guides.

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145.840 signal
by Andrew Glasbrenner 09 Apr '08

09 Apr '08

I received a report this morning from someone that heard a data signal on 145.840 and assumed it was BO-47. If I recall correctly that package was battery-only, so while I don't expect that is the right satellite maybe it's worth some folks listening to that frequency? 73, Drew KO4MA

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Field Hell via Satellite
by Robert Turlington 08 Apr '08

08 Apr '08

Hi All I have been experimenting with Field Hell via Satellite recently and have had good results on VO52,AO16 & AO7(b) at times if there is anyone out there also interested in this mode please let me know .I will be posting some results on my web site:- www.turlington.supanet.com in the next few days Regards Robert G8ATE _________________________________________________________________ The next generation of Windows Live is here http://www.windowslive.co.uk/get-live

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Cosmonautics Day 12th April 2008
by Robert Turlington 08 Apr '08

08 Apr '08

Hi All please have a look at my Web Site for details of GB0CD ops on the 12th April 2008 [email protected] Regards Robert G8ATE _________________________________________________________________ Win 100’s of Virgin Experience days with BigSnapSearch.com http://www.bigsnapsearch.com

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Re: ITAR
by RFI-EMI-GUY 08 Apr '08

08 Apr '08

I had an inquiry from overseas for a piece of test gear I have for sale (HP3586B frequency selective level-meter). After reading the convoluted and very general wording of the ITAR rules, I concluded that an overzealous customs agent could make this out (in his head) to be export of "wiretapping" equipment so I _didn't _make the sale. -- Joe Leikhim K4SAT "The RFI-EMI-GUY"© "Treason doth never prosper: what's the reason? For if it prosper, none dare call it treason." "Follow The Money" ;-P

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ITAR
by Trevor 08 Apr '08

08 Apr '08

U.S. eyes removing some satellite components from munitions list http://www.southgatearc.org/news/april2008/itar.htm ___________________________________________________________ Yahoo! For Good helps you make a difference http://uk.promotions.yahoo.com/forgood/

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Anyone looking for Grid Squares in Nevada like DM25 ?
by Ronald Nutter 08 Apr '08

08 Apr '08

I will be making a trip to Las Vegas to see some vendors in a couple of weeks and am thinking about taking an ultra-lite station with me to work the FM birds the first day while I am out there. The best day I can hope to work the birds will be 4/28. Satscape indicates the following passes will be available - SO-50 [+] 28 APR 2008 09:42:48 337 26 (AZ 046) AO-51 [+] 28 APR 2008 09:49:28 001 30 (AZ 293) SO-50 [+] 28 APR 2008 11:23:29 322 43 (AZ 249) AO-27 [+] 28 APR 2008 15:21:09 155 59 (AZ 073) AO-27 [+] 28 APR 2008 17:02:11 210 15 (AZ 269) AO-51 [+] 28 APR 2008 19:22:53 143 36 (AZ 066) AO-51 [+] 28 APR 2008 21:02:02 197 25 (AZ 269) The times listed are in CDT, I didnt get the conversion made for PDT when I ran these calculations. I am planning on taking 2 handhelds - one for uplink and one for downlink so I can run full duplex. Planning on using 1/4 wave 2 mtr mag mount and 5/8 wave 70cm mag mount for antennas. I used DM25 as a beginning reference for the pass calcs. Will be within 2 to 3 hours of Las Vegas and North during most of the passes. I havent flown with ham gear since before 9/11. Anything I need to know to be prepared to deal with TSA ? I plan on putting the mag antennas in the check-in luggage and will put the handhelds in a Pelican case that will have some recording gear I will be using to record some interviews for a radio show that I do. No promises that I will get to appear on any or all of the passes but I will do my best. Thanks, Ron KA4KYI

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DELFI-C3 Launch
by GW1FKY＠aol.com 08 Apr '08

08 Apr '08

Hi Wouter, "Big Hello to you and the team" - Glad to see that things are once again in motion and Delfi-C3 has come out of hibernation after a very frustrating wait for all of you and prospective users. My thoughts are very much with you all especially after having the opportunity of meeting many of you at the Amsat- UK Colloquium. For those that have not met the team, let me just what wonderful guys they are and it is credit to see so many of the younger generation working together with such dedication. I hope that all of your efforts will now be appreciated and the rewards for your project can go ahead as planned. The week following the launch I am giving a presentation here in Wales on "Working Satellites". I intend to also include your presentation on Delfi-C3 with my work and hopefully also add the satellite to one of possible live demonstrations. Meanwhile "Good Luck and Best wishes to all of the Team " - Take Care. Remember that " AMATEUR RADIO SATELLITES - " ARE REALLY OUT OF THIS WORLD" Regards Ken Eaton GW1FKY AMSAT-UK AMSAT NA

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Re: Free Ham Satellite!
by Wouter Jan Ubbels 08 Apr '08

08 Apr '08

Hi Alan, Warbler does indeed not have soundcard selection capability, but RASCAL has. (When I have time, it will be incorporated in Warbler as well but that will probably be after Delfi-C3 is safely in orbit hi:) Bruce, thanks for the kudos:) It's been really rewarding to be able to build a satellite, it has been a true team effort with over 60 people involved! It's great to finally have our baby so close to launch. A life changing experience. As I type this mail, our mechanical guys are applying the final pieces of glue and thermal tape next to me, all is still ok. 73 Wouter Jan Ubbels VU/PE4WJ

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Re: Delfi3C
by Wouter Jan Ubbels 07 Apr '08

07 Apr '08

Hi Bruce, yes, that's a very recent presentation we gave for local Dutch hams, enjoy! Indeed, the software is named RASCAL, and yes, the demod algorithm of Warbler is in there so you can indeed check whether your setup is ok by using Warbler. The rest of RASCAL (GUI, connection to server etc. etc.) was specially developed by the team. The screenshot is actually of the beta test we ran 3 weeks ago, with a handful of radio amateurs. The software passed this test with flying colours, only some minor cosmetic changes will be made. We will publish the software on our website when we are back from our pre-launch checkout trip from India, which will be in the week of april 14th. So stay tuned:) greetings from warm India, Wouter Jan Ubbels VU/PE4WJ

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JA-W7 QSO
by w7lrd＠comcast.net 07 Apr '08

07 Apr '08

Hello I am looking for a station in northern JA to try to QSO with me on AO-7 mode A. My grid is CN87 near Seattle. If available and capable please email. Or if someone can assist me in getting this info to JA. Just trying to "stretch" the footprint.(grin) 73 Bob W7LRD Seattle -- "if this were easy, everyone would be doing it"

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Free Ham Satellite!
by Bruce Robertson 07 Apr '08

07 Apr '08

There is a group that is willing to give we amateurs a LEO satellite with mode-B linear transponder on board and at no cost to us! The only catch is that they hope we will give them our help in collecting telemetry from their experiment for the first three months of the bird's life. Does this sound too good to be true? Well, in fact, not only is it true, but the satellite is due to launch in only two weeks! For those who haven't been following the story of the Delfi-C3 satellite, that's exactly the deal that these researchers from Holland are offering us. It's the sweetest opportunity in a long time, and we'd be wise to respond with an overwhelming response. If we do, we'll make it clear to the myriad cubesat developers that, by leaving some communications hardware for us to work with after their experiments end, they can be sure of our full support in collecting telemetry. Delfi-C3 matters greatly to us for two other reasons. First, it is the first time that amateur voice communications equipment has flown in the inexpensive 'cubesat' form-factor. If Delfi shows how this can be done, we can expect other groups to follow in their path. Delfi-C3 is sized 30x10cm, a stack three times the size of the usual cubesat. Maybe the software-defined transponder concept could miniturize our hardware to the point that we could get a ham transponder into an even cheaper 20x10 cubesat, making it even more affordable for local groups to undertake. Secondly, Delfi-C3's experiment pertains to solar panel technology, something we should all hope progresses to give us more watts in space. If you've been lukewarm on cubesats because you think they're not 'real satellites' or if you're in the doldrums because the satellite industry seems to be keeping us from afordable launches, here's your chance to fix things, at least on the LEO side: 1. Ensure your 2m downlink station is working well. You'll probably need a yagi to collect telemetry. Get that low noise preamp installed on the mast. 2. Ensure that your radio/souncard interface is working well. Test this with some software APRS packet decoding, for example. 3. Get a software 1200 bpsk demodulator. The java program from the lead developer of Delfi-C3 will probably work: http://home.casema.nl/b.ubbels/Warbler.htm then test it with the audio files available there. You might need to fiddle with the 'stereo mixer' settings in your Win32 machine to get the WAV file to play back into the computer. You'll want to download the RASCAL software from the delfi-c3 people when it is available. 4. Join the cubesat chat rooms during and after the launch to help these projects identify their birds and apply the right TLEs. This is high drama, and its great fun to see just how good at this stuff people like Mineo and Mike are. 5. Collect telemetry! And help out the other cube projects, too, while you're at it. Some of you with really great HEO-class stations can use them to great effect here. 73, Bruce VE9QRP

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416TB help
by w0dxz＠aol.com 07 Apr '08

07 Apr '08

I have an old 416 TB, need wiring help.? It currently has been wired for use with? the PS-4 switching box,,, instructions say that as wired, it will be LHC when not energized,,,? RHC only when energized. I want the opposite,,, RHC when NOT energized.??? (I am not going to energize?? --? not going to use? the PS-4) How do I wire it to be RHC when NOT energized... ?I do not have the original wiring harness for use without the PS-4. or should I just go down to HRO and buy a linear? 432 antenna?? I need RHC or linear, i dont care which. Bob W0DXZ DM33? Sun City AZ

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Aldert 1000 points, AO-7
by TERRY BROMLEY 07 Apr '08

07 Apr '08

Well done Aldert on reaching 1000. Like Mika and Eric & Joe- Mak, all good friends through the old bird. Sorry i'm late with the congratulations just got back from my break with the 60 year old women hi hi. Hope she does not read this email. 73 see you all soon. Terry G1WPR.

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SSTL
by Willmott, Paul 07 Apr '08

07 Apr '08

Europe's largest space company, EADS Astrium, looks set to acquire the British satellite manufacturer SSTL. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7334231.stm ********************************************************************************* This message and any files transmitted with it are confidential and may be privileged and/or subject to the provisions of privacy legislation. It is intended solely for the person to whom it is addressed and review by anyone else is unauthorized. Any use, disclosure, reproduction, modification or distribution of the contents of this e-mail, or any part thereof, other than by the intended recipient, is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient or have received this message in error, please notify the sender of this e-mail immediately by return e-mail and destroy the message and all copies in your possession. Oil Management Services Ltd *********************************************************************************

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Delfi3C
by G0MRF＠aol.com 07 Apr '08

07 Apr '08

Hi all. Hopefully 16 days and counting... The following has appeared on the website. delfi3c.nl "The launch preparation team has safely arrived in India and is busy checking Delfi-C3. Everything has been found ok so far. The launch window remains as is. " Regards David

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Re: AO-51 findu.com request
by Mineo Wakita 07 Apr '08

07 Apr '08

Hello Steve, K4HG, There is 'findu_com web' for ISS APRS packet: http://www.ariss.net/index.cgi?absolute=1 And there is 'findu_com web' for PCSAT-1 APRS packet: http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/pcsat.cgi?absolute=1 We want to open similarly 'findu_com web' for L/U digital mode of AO-51 APRS packet like ISS and PCSAT-1. Thank you. I wrote at the last time: > AO-51 is working now as L/U digital mode. > We hope to open 'APRS findu.com' of AO-51 L/U. > > JH1BCL>APRS,PACB-1* [04/01/08 10:40:49z] <UI>:HELLO ALL GE vir AO-51 > L/U PKT > JE9PEL>APRS,PACB-1* [04/01/08 10:41:31z] <UI R>:=3523.05N/13936.61E- > Yokohama Japan {UIV32} > JA5BLZ>APRS,PACB-1* [04/01/08 10:42:20z] <UI>::JE9PEL :GE UR 599 TNX --------------------------------------------- Name: Mineo Wakita / JE9PEL, JAMSAT member Mail: ei7m-wkt(a)asahi-net.or.jp URL : http://www.ne.jp/asahi/hamradio/je9pel/ QTH : Yokohama Japan, GL:pm95tj Date: Apr 7, 2008 ---------------------------------------------

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FCAL Status
by DeYoung James 06 Apr '08

06 Apr '08

My latest prediction run as of 3 April 2008 gives a decay date of 1 June 2008 +/-6 days. 73 KG4QWC ____________________________________________________________________________________ You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost. http://tc.deals.yahoo.com/tc/blockbuster/text5.com

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FCAL Status
by Chris Bloy 06 Apr '08

06 Apr '08

Hi all, When is FCAL due down? Just want to clean up my keps. Thanks, Chris - M0DQO Locator: IO90KU

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metal or non metal cross booms
by Gopal Madhavan 06 Apr '08

06 Apr '08

I have experimented with both non-metallic and metallic cross booms after reading numerous articles on the subject some years ago. With CP antennae mounted in X configuration there seems to be hardly any difference in performance. I speak of experiments done when AO-40 was active. I now use a metallic boom as it gives very good rigidity to mount two CP antennae, a small dish for 2.4 GHz, preamps etc. Here in India I do not have the option to order a good section of fibre glass cross boom any way, and so had made do with PVC tube wrapped in fibre glass, but it eventually sagged and I had to periodically rotate it 180 degrees to keep it somewhat level. Gopal VU2GMN

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I: Re: metal or non metal cross booms
by Francesco Grappi 06 Apr '08

06 Apr '08

Hi all, Another solutions : (I did it) Metal cross boom with, at the end of both side, 400 mm. of nylon shaft Inside. It works great ! 73" Frank IW4DVZ -----Messaggio originale----- Da: amsat-bb-bounces(a)amsat.org [mailto:[email protected]] Per conto di kc6uqh Inviato: domenica 6 aprile 2008 19.05 A: Prathap Kumar; amsat-bb(a)amsat.org Oggetto: [amsat-bb] Re: metal or non metal cross booms Suggestion, Wood has very good strength, why not place a wood dowel rod inside a pvc pipe with end caps to keep the weather out? THe wood will offer the support and the pvc will protect the wood from the elements. Art , KC6UQH ----- Original Message ----- From: "Prathap Kumar" <vu2pop(a)gmail.com> To: <amsat-bb(a)amsat.org> Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2008 7:44 AM Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: metal or non metal cross booms > Hi > I got the thick wall Blue PVC pipes used for plumbing wrapped in > fibreglass > mat and its been in use for over ten years now. > The final OD is now about 40mm. > It does support both my cross yagis on the rotator. > I am also looking for the fibreglass tube with thick wall and hope to get > some here in Bangalore and will keep you informed Gopal. > Best 73 > Pop > VU2POP > > > >> Gopal, >> >> A good decision that you made. A study by Kent, WA5VJB, shows that >> only some sensitivity of position between elements on the antenna >> boom impacts using a metal crossboom if the antenna is mounted in the >> "X" confinguration. My satellite antennas are mounted this way. >> >> 73 Ed - KL7UW >> >> At 05:50 PM 4/5/2008, Gopal Madhavan wrote: >>>I have experimented with both non-metallic and metallic cross booms after >>>reading numerous articles on the subject some years ago. With CP antennae >>>mounted in X configuration there seems to be hardly any difference in >>>performance. I speak of experiments done when AO-40 was active. >>> >>>I now use a metallic boom as it gives very good rigidity to mount two CP >>>antennae, a small dish for 2.4 GHz, preamps etc. Here in India I do not >>>have >>>the option to order a good section of fibre glass cross boom any way, and >>>so >>>had made do with PVC tube wrapped in fibre glass, but it eventually >>>sagged >>>and I had to periodically rotate it 180 degrees to keep it somewhat >>>level. >>> >>>Gopal VU2GMN >>> >>> >>>_______________________________________________ >>>Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >>>Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >>>program! >>>Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb >> >> _______________________________________________ >> Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. >> Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite >> program! >> Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb > > _______________________________________________ > Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. > Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! > Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb _______________________________________________ Sent via AMSAT-BB(a)amsat.org. Opinions expressed are those of the author. Not an AMSAT-NA member? Join now to support the amateur satellite program! Subscription settings: http://amsat.org/mailman/listinfo/amsat-bb

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recording software
by Nick Pugh 06 Apr '08

06 Apr '08

Hi AMSATERS I have ask the list before but have not gotten a good response. I am looking for shareware program that will record audio based on time that you enter. Skypipe comes close but it only let's you put one record time. thanks nick

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G-5500 lubrication
by Joel Kandel 06 Apr '08

06 Apr '08

Am abut to put up a G-5500 rotor and noticed on the test bench that the elevation rotor makes a but of a grinding noise when it operates. More so than the azimuth rotor. 1. Is this noise normal? 2. Is it worth trying to open the rotor and grease the beartings or whatever is making the grinding noise? 3. Any pitfalls to opening the unit? I have worked successfully on Ham IV rotors in the past. Thanks, Joel Kandel, KI4T

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[ans] ANS-097 AMSAT Weekly Bulletins
by Dee 06 Apr '08

06 Apr '08

AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-097 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor(a)amsat.org In this edition: * Dayton Forums Schedule * AMSAT Booth Volunteers * DelfiC3 Update * AMSAT Room Block at Dayton * AO-51 Update * ARISS Status - 24 March 2008 SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-097.01 Dayton Forums Schedule AMSAT News Service Bulletin 097.01 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 6, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-097.01 AMSAT Forum at Dayton Hamvention 0900-1130 Saturday, May 17 Forum Room 5 We have a great lineup of speakers for the AMSAT Fourm at Dayton this year. The forum will concentrate on discussing AMSAT projects and activites for this year. Moderator: Barry A. Baines, WD4ASW AMSAT Corporate Secretary & VP-Special Projects Rick Hambly, W2GPS AMSAT President and Robert Davis, KF4KSS AMSAT Director-Spacecraft Integration and Lab Manager, "AMSAT Update". Rick will present a status report on the Intelsat Negotiations, a brief update on Eagle, and AMSAT-DL's Phase 3-E Project. Bob will provide an overview of AMSAT's new Integration Lab in Pocomoke, MD as well as discuss the HASP (High Altitude Student Payload) and Cubesat Projects that are under development at the Lab. Gould Smith, WA4SXM, AMSAT VP-Member & User Services, Andrew Glasbrenner, KO4MA AMSAT VP-Operations, and Mark Hammond, N8MH AMSAT Command Station, "AMSAT Satellite Operations Update" which will provide an overview of AO-51 as well as highlight how AO-16 has been reconfigured as a voice repeater satellite. Matt Ettus, N2MJI, ACP System Engineer and Michelle Thompson, W5NYV ACP Ground Station Development Engineer, "AMSAT's Advanced Communications Package (ACP)". Matt and Michelle will provide an overview of the new communications system currently under development for Eagle and a potential payload package to be placed on a commercial geostationary satellite. ACP is designed to provide emergency communications using portable ground stations as well as make it possible for amateurs living in areas with CC&R restrictions to be able to communicate via our next generation satellite. They will explain why ACP is being developed and discuss both the work being done on the payload as well as the ground station component that is being developed concurrently. Frank Bauer, KA3HDO AMSAT Director-Manned Space Programs, "A Ham Radio Operator's View of ARISS". Frank will outline several new initiatives under development for Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) that will interest amateur radio operators as well as provide an overview of SuitSat-2 currently under development. [ANS thanks Gould, WA4SXM, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-097.02 AMSAT Booth Volunteers AMSAT News Service Bulletin 097.02 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 6, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-097.02 AMSAT Booth Volunteers for Dayton 2008 I am looking for volunteers to help in the AMSAT booth during the 2008 Dayton Hamvention, May 16-18. I would like people to volunteer for 2 hour shifts on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Multiple shifts are welcome. I also need help with booth setup and take down on Thursday May 15 and Sunday May 18. With enough people we have been able to setup and take down the booth in 3 - 4 hours ( or less). Please volunteer to Gould, WA4SXM at his callsign(a)amsat.org. This is a great opportunity to give back to AMSAT and to have an enjoyable time talking with other AMSAT members and future members. [ANS thanks Gould, WA4SXM, for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-097.03 DelfiC3 Update AMSAT News Service Bulletin 097.03 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 6, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-097.03 DelfiC3 Provisional launch date April 21st April 4th, 2008 Greetings from the clean room at Sriharikota! The Delfi-C3 checkout team has safely arrived at the launch site in India, and we are currently performing all checks on the space- craft. So far, everything goes as planned and we have found no problems. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed on the base so you'll have to use your imagination for now. Meanwhile, we will try to keep you updated by posting text-only blog entries. At this very moment, the team is building up the satellite into launch configuration, which means attaching the solar panels, the wireless sun sensors, and applying the final pieces of thermal tape and locking glue. All major health checks have been successfully completed up to this point so we know the spacecraft is in good health. The linear transponder was tested for the last time before launch, and it worked just fine. Frequencies: * Primary telemetry downlink: 145.870 MHz 1200 Baud BPSK AX.25 400mW * Backup telemetry downlink: 145.930 MHz 1200 Baud BPSK AX.25 400mW * Linear transponder passband downlink: 145.880 - 145.920 MHz (inverting) 400mW PEP * Linear transponder passband uplink: 435.570 - 435.530 MHz * Transponder mode beacon: 145.870 MHz CW (10dB below transponder PEP) Monitor http://www.delfic3.nl/photoblog/ for updates! [ANS thanks Wouter Jan Ubbels VU/PE4WJ for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-097.04 AMSAT Room Block at Dayton AMSAT News Service Bulletin 097.04 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 6, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-097.04 Once again, Dayton is about 6 weeks away. If you plan to attend, we have a block of rooms reseved every year for our group. Please call Martha with C/C info and the days you plan to be there and she will make the reservations for you. [ANS thanks Martha for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-097.05 AO-51 Update AMSAT News Service Bulletin 097.05 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 6, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-097.05 AO-51 is running less power than last week. Gould, WA4SXM, AO-51 Command station reported that the transmitter power levels on AO-51 have been reduced. 1) The SQRX receiver is on for L band uplink for the bulletin board 2) We are starting to enter a new eclipse cycle this week. TX B (analog) is 700 mW (was 820 mW) TX A (digital) is 550 mW (was 550 mW) We will reduce power slowly until mid June (eclipse length maximum), then slowly increase it until early Sept when we will again enter a no eclipse period for a number of months. [ANS thanks Gould, WA4SXM for the above information] /EX SB SAT @ AMSAT $ANS-097.06 ARISS Status - April 3, 2008 AMSAT News Service Bulletin 097.06 From AMSAT HQ SILVER SPRING, MD. April 6, 2008 To All RADIO AMATEURS BID: $ANS-097.06 Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) Status Report 1. Upcoming School Contacts An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been scheduled with Osnovna skola Pazin in Pazin, Croatia on Monday, April 7 at 14:52 UTC. Eight hundred students are enrolled at the school which has offered technical classes in robotics, electronics and computer science for the past ten years. Students from Pazin’s two high schools are also expected to attend this event. The schools hope to pique the students’ interest in space and electronics through this educational activity. 2. Kodomo Contact Successful Youth from the Kodomo Support Project in Kyoto, Japan participated in a successful Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact on Wednesday, March 26. One hundred thirty parents and community members watched as eighteen children asked astronaut Garrett Reisman, KE5HAE, twenty questions before the ISS went over the horizon. Three television stations, including NHK, the Japan Broadcasting Corporation, and seven newspapers covered the event. To view a video of the contact, go to: http://www.ariss.jp/kyoto/Kyoto.wmv 3. Shukor Crew Debrief Held An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) crew debrief was held on Tuesday, March 25. Spaceflight participant Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, 9W2MUS provided the team with feedback on his experience with ARISS contacts while onboard the ISS. 4. Articles Cover Upcoming Garriott Activities Articles have been posted covering the educational activities that Richard Garriott, W5KWQ, has planned while onboard the International Space Station. These activities include contacting children at the Challenger Learning Centers and taking part in amateur radio contacts. Prior to flight, children can take part in a contest creating a design for a patch. Spaceref.com and the Challenger Center articles may be viewed here: http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=25010 http://www.challenger.org/programs/garriottdownlinks.cfm 5. Astronaut Training Status An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) training session has been planned for astronauts Bob Thirsk, VA3CSA, and Chris Hadfield, KC5RNJ/VA3OOG, on Thursday, April 17. Thirsk is a scheduled crew member on Expedition 19; Hadfield is his back-up. [ANS thanks Carol, KB3LKI, for the above information] /EX In addition to regular membership, AMSAT offers membership in the President's Club. Members of the President's Club, as sustaining donors to AMSAT Project Funds, will be eligible to receive additional benefits. Application forms are available from the AMSAT Office. 73, This week's ANS Editor, Dee Interdonato, NB2F nb2f at amsat dot org

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